Lighting system for plants

ABSTRACT

A method for encouraging maturation and growth of a plant includes a provision of at least one stroboscopic lamp disposed adjacent the plant. The stroboscopic lamp is cycled through at least one on-period and at least one off-period for a predetermined cycling time. The plant is exposed to strobed high-intensity light during the at least one on-period, and not exposed to strobed high-intensity light during the at least one off-period. A maturation rate and the growth of the plant are thereby encouraged. A related system includes the at least one stroboscopic lamp and a controller for controlling the stroboscopic lamp according to the method, for encouraging maturation and growth of the plant.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No.61/620,125 filed on Apr. 4, 2012. The entire disclosure of the aboveapplication is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to systems and methods for promoting the growthand maturation rate of plants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Artificial lighting in green houses is known to promote the growth ofplants. The artificial lighting is commonly used during periods ofdarkness and where there is insufficient natural lighting.

A common artificial lighting source used in green houses is asodium-vapor lamp. However, sodium-vapor lamps consume undesirableamounts of electricity during their operation. Sodium-vapor lamps arealso costly to manufacture and purchase. Consequently, the use ofsodium-vapor lamps in green houses, on a consistent basis, isprohibitively expensive. It is also impractical to use sodium-vaporlamps outside of a green house environment such as in open fields wherethe plants may be cultivated.

Other known artificial lighting systems include JP 404287618 toNakazawa, JP 402128624 to Ito et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,146,993 toFreeman, Sr., and U.S. Pat. No. 3,233,146 to Vacha. Nakazawa describesstroboscopic application of short wavelength light to promote plantgrowth. Ito et al. describes a use of stroboscopic tubes whenirradiating plants. Freeman, Sr. describes a practice of applying lightin short bursts to stimulate plant growth. Vacha describes an electricalcontrol of lighting when promoting plant growth.

There is a continuing need for a system and method for encouragingmaturation and growth of plants such as vegetables, fruits, andornamentals. Desirably, the system and method are inexpensive relativeto the use of conventional sodium-vapor lighting, and increase a rate ofmaturation of the plants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In concordance with the instant disclosure, a system and method forencouraging maturation and growth of plants such as vegetables, fruits,and ornamentals, and which are inexpensive relative to the use ofconventional sodium-vapor lighting, and increase a rate of maturation ofthe plants, has surprisingly been discovered.

In an exemplary embodiment, a system for encouraging maturation andgrowth of plants includes stroboscopic lamps disposed above the plants.The stroboscopic lamps produce periodic flashes of light having a highintensity (e.g., up to 175,000 peak candle power or greater). Clear andtransparent lenses or colored lenses may cover the stroboscopic lamps.The stroboscopic lamps produce light in a wavelength that may be used bythe plants (e.g., 450-950 nanometer). The stroboscopic lamps aretypically suspended above the plants and connected to a controller,which controls the stroboscopic lamps.

In operation, when natural lighting is not yet available in the morningand evening, the stroboscopic lamps are cycled through alternatingon-periods (e.g., 2 minutes) and off-periods (e.g., 20 minutes) for apredetermined cycling time (e.g., 1-½ hours). The length and number ofon-periods, the length and number of off-periods, and the total lengthof the predetermined cycling time, may be modified based upon the plantspecies being exposed. It has been shown that the exposure of plants tothe stroboscopic lamp cycling results in an increased rate of maturationand growth of the plants. The system and method is inexpensive tomanufacture and operate compared to known lighting systems such assodium-vapor lamps.

Unexpectedly, where stroboscopic lamps are cycled through alternatingon-periods and off-periods for a predetermined cycling time, the rate ofmaturation of plants exposed to the stroboscopic lighting has been shownto increase. It has also been surprisingly found that different plantsmay benefit from the cycling of the stroboscopic lamps through differentlengths of alternating on-periods and off-periods.

In one embodiment, a method for encouraging maturation and growth of aplant includes the provision of at least one stroboscopic lamp disposedadjacent the plant. The stroboscopic lamp is then cycled through atleast one on-period and at least one off-period for a predeterminedcycling time. The plant is exposed to strobed high-intensity lightduring the at least one on-period, and not exposed to strobedhigh-intensity light during the at least one off-period. A maturationrate and the growth of the plant are thereby encouraged.

In another embodiment, a system for encouraging maturation and growth ofa plant includes at least one stroboscopic lamp adapted to be disposedadjacent the plant. A controller is in communication with thestroboscopic lamp. The controller controls the at least one stroboscopiclamp, and is configured to cycle the stroboscopic lamp through at leastone on-period and at least one off period for a predetermined cyclingtime.

In a further embodiment, a method for encouraging maturation and growthof a plant includes a provision of at least one stroboscopic lampsuspended above the plant. The stroboscopic lamp produces a strobedhigh-intensity light in a wavelength between about 450 nanometers andabout 950 nanometers. The strobed high-intensity light is greater thanabout 100,000 peak candela, and is between about 25 and about 150flashes per minute. The stroboscopic lamp is then cycled through a firstpredetermined cycling time including at least one on-period and at leastone off-period. The plant is exposed to the strobed high-intensity lightfrom the stroboscopic lamp during the at least one on-period. The plantis not exposed to the strobed high-intensity light from the stroboscopiclamp during the at least one off-period. An exposure of the plant to thestrobed high-intensity light from the stroboscopic lamp is then ceasedfor one of a daytime period and an evening period. Following the daytimeperiod or the evening period, the stroboscopic lamp is then cycledthrough a second predetermined cycling time including the at least oneon-period and the at least one off-period, The predetermined period oftime for the at least one on-period is between about 1 percent and about20 percent of the predetermined period of time for the at least oneoff-period. The predetermined cycling time is between about 20 minutesand about four hours.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, willbecome readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the followingdetailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in thelight of the accompanying drawings including charts, graphs, tables,product specifications, and photographs.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for providing high-intensitystroboscopic light to a plant according to one embodiment of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a particular embodiment of a system forproviding high-intensity stroboscopic light to a plant;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a controller for operating astroboscopic lamp according to one embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view a stroboscopic lamp according toone embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of providinghigh-intensity stroboscopic light to a plant in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of providinghigh-intensity stroboscopic light to a plant using predeterminedsettings;

FIG. 7 is a bar graph illustrating the reduction in flowering timeachieved by using the system and method of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a line graph illustrating the relationship between lens colorand total harvest weight using the system and method of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 9 is a line graph illustrating the relationship between fruitpopulation per plant and light conditions using the system and method ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description and appended drawings describe andillustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to makeand use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention in any manner. In respect of the methods disclosed, the stepspresented are exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps isnot necessary or critical unless otherwise disclosed.

In FIG. 1, a system 2 for encouraging the maturation and the growth of aplant 20 is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the plant 20 mayinclude one of a vegetable plant, a fruit-bearing plant, andornamentals. It should be understood that other types of plants 20 mayalso be cultivated using the system 20 of the present disclosure, asdesired.

The system 2 includes an at least one stroboscopic lamp 14 disposedadjacent to the plant 20. In certain embodiments, and as illustrated inFIG. 2, the at least one stroboscopic lamp 14 is suspended above theplant 20. In some examples, the at least one stroboscopic lamp 14 may besuspended with a non-rigid connector 16 such a cord, cable, strap, orchain, as non limiting examples. In other examples, the at least onestroboscopic lamp 14 may be suspended above the plant 20 with a rigidconnector 18 such as a bracket. Other suspension means may also be usedto dispose the stroboscopic lamp 14 adjacent the plant 20. Thestroboscopic lamp 14 may also be disposed to a side of the plant 20, orunderneath the plant 20, as desired. Other locations for thestroboscopic lamp 14 relative to the plant 20 may also be used withinthe scope of the disclosure.

The system 2 may include a plurality of the stroboscopic lamps 14disposed above a plurality of the plants 20. Each of the stroboscopiclamps 14 may be independently operated, or may be operated in unison, asdesired. The system 2 may be employed in a greenhouse, for example,where the plants 20 are being cultivated. The system 2 may also beemployed in other areas where the plants 20 are being cultivated, forexample, in an open field in which the system 2 has been deployed. Wherethe system 2 is used in the open field, the stroboscopic lamps 14 may besuspended from stakes driven into the ground, or hung from a frameworkdisposed over the plants 20 in the field. One of ordinary skill in theart may select alternative means for disposing the stroboscopic lamps 14adjacent the plants 20, as desired.

The system 2 also includes a controller 8 connected to a power source 4for controlling the at least one stroboscopic lamp 14. The controller 8is configured to cycle the stroboscopic lamp 14 through an at least oneon-period 112 and the at least one off-period 114 for a predeterminedcycling time 110. In particular embodiments, the controller 8 permits auser to select a total predetermined cycling time 110 and apredetermined period of time 106, 108 for each of at least one on-period112 and at least one off-period 114 (shown in FIGS. 5-6).

In a particular embodiment, the controller 8 includes a processor forreceiving processor executable instructions. The processor may controlthe predetermined cycling time 110 and the predetermined period of time106, 108 for each of the at least one on-period 112 and at least oneoff-period 114, in accordance with the processor executableinstructions. The controller 8 may further include a tangible,non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in which the processorexecutable instructions are stored or otherwise embodied. The processormay be in communication with the computer-readable storage medium, forpurposes of executing the processor executable instructed embodiedthereon. It should be appreciated that other types of controllers 8 mayalso be used within the scope of the disclosure.

The controller 8 may also be in communication with at least one sensor(not shown), which may inform when the predetermined cycling time 110 isto begin or end. For example, the at least one sensor may be aphotosensitive eye or light sensor that detects the presence of asufficient amount of natural lighting where the at least onestroboscopic lamp 14 may be cycled off, or a presence of an insufficientamount of natural lighting where the at least one stroboscopic lamp 14may be cycled on. In other embodiments, the at least one sensor measuresan absence of a sufficient amount of moisture or water in the plant 20environment, in which case the exposure to the strobed high-intensitylighting is minimized to militate against an undesirable drying of theplant 20. Other types of sensors may also be in communication with thecontroller 8, as desired.

The system 2 may also include a user interface 6 in communication withthe controller 8, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The user interface6 may permit the user to select the predetermined cycling time 110 andthe predetermined period of time 106, 108 for each of the at least oneon-period 112 and at least one off-period 114. The user interface 6 mayinclude a keyboard or a touch screen, for example. The user interface 6may also have controls such as buttons, dials, knobs, or the like, aswell as readouts such as timers, gauges, and video screens withinformation corresponding to the predetermined cycling time 110 and thepredetermined period of time 106, 108 for each of the at least oneon-period 112 and at least one off-period 114. In a particular instance,the user interface 6 is in communication with at least one of theprocessor and the computer-readable storage medium, and may permit theuser to provide or modify the processor executable instructions foroperating the at least one stroboscopic lamp 14. Other types of userinterfaces 6 may also be employed, as desired,

The stroboscopic lamp 14, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, is selectedso as to provide a desired intensity, frequency, and wavelength of lightto the plant 20. The intensity, the frequency, and the wavelength of thelight may be selected based on specific needs of the species of theplant 20 with which the system 2 is used. Likewise, the stroboscopiclamp 14 of the system 2 may be modified or customized to be used withdifferent species of the plant 20. One of ordinary skill in the art mayselect the intensity, the frequency, and the wavelength of the lightprovided by the stroboscopic lamp 14, as desired.

In a nonlimiting example, the stroboscopic lamp 14 is comprised of astrobed high-intensity light apparatus 10 and a lens 12. The strobedhigh-intensity light apparatus 10 includes a mounting base 22, a circuitboard assembly 24, and a strobe tube 26. The mounting base 22 mayinclude one of an Edison thread, a pipe thread, and a flush mount, asnonlimiting examples. The types of circuit board assembly 24 and strobetube 26 may be selected by a skilled artisan based on the intendedinstallation of the stroboscopic lamp 14, and desired application of thesystem 2 to particular species of the plant 20.

As nonlimiting examples, the stroboscopic lamp 14 generates strobedhigh-intensity light that is greater than about 100,000 peak candela,more particularly greater than about 150,000 peak candela, and mostparticularly at least about 175,000 peak candela, In other examples, thestrobed high-intensity light is between about 25 and 150 flashes perminute, more particularly between about 50 and 100 flashes per minute,and most particularly between about 65 and 95 flashes per minute.Different types of the stroboscopic lamp 14 having a different desiredintensity and frequency may also be used within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The wavelength of the strobed high-intensity light is also selected tobe a wavelength suitable for use by the plant 20. For example, the lens12 color of the stroboscopic lamp 14 is selected depending on thedesired wavelength to be emitted. In a most particular example, thewavelength is between about 450 nanometers and 950 nanometers when thestrobed high-intensity light 10 is discharged through a clear lens 12.In a particular example, the strobed high-intensity light 10 is directedthrough an amber lens 12 to discharge a wavelength between about 550nanometers and 950 nanometers. One of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that a variety of wavelengths may be produced by varying anyone of a combination of lens 12 color and the actual wavelength of thestrobed high-intensity light.

In an exemplary embodiment, the lens 12 of the stroboscopic lamp 14 isremovably attached to the stroboscopic lamp 14, and permits acustomization of the wavelength of the light to be provided by thesystem 2. The lens 12 may include one of a clear and amber colored lens12, for example. Other colors of the lens 12 may also be used within thescope of the present disclosure.

In addition to selecting a desired intensity, frequency, and wavelength,the stroboscopic lamp 14 can also be located at alternative distancesfrom the subject plant 20. The stroboscopic lamp 14 may be locatedcloser to the plant 20 to increase light concentration for the plant 20.The stroboscopic lamp 14 may likewise be located farther from the plant20 to decrease light concentration for the plant 20. Where thestroboscopic lamp 14 is located farther from the plant 20, it should beappreciated that a single stroboscopic lamp 14 may provide lighting to abroader area and more of the plants 20, at a lower intensity.

The present disclosure includes a method 102 for promoting the growthand maturation of the plants 20. As shown in FIG. 5, the method 102 forencouraging maturation and growth of a plant 20 includes a provision 104of at least one stroboscopic lamp 14 disposed adjacent the plant 20. Theat least one stroboscopic lamp 14 may be provided as part of the system2, described hereinabove.

In operation, the stroboscopic lamp 14 is cycled on and off during amorning period 116 and an evening period 120, in each of which there issubstantially no natural light available to the plant 20. Where thestroboscopic lamp 14 is cycled on, the stroboscopic lamp 14 is active orpowered and the cycling includes a plurality of flashes of the strobedhigh-intensity light, at a rate of between about 25 and 150 flashes perminute, for example, as previously discussed hereinabove. Where thestroboscopic lamp 14 is cycled off, the stroboscopic lamp 14 is inactiveor unpowered, and discharges no light to the plant 20.

It should be appreciated that the subjecting of the plant 20 to theperiod of darkness in the overnight hours 122, as well as the provisionof the at least one off-period 114 during the cycling of the at leastone on-period 112 and the at least one off-period 114 where thestroboscopic lamp 14 is cycled on, provides necessary resting periodsfor the plants 20, and advantageously contributes to the promoted growthand maturation of the plants 20 under the present method 102.

FIG. 6 further illustrates the method 102 of the present disclosure,where each of the morning period 116 and the evening period 120 includesthe at least one on-period 112 and the at least one off-period 114. Theat least one on-period 112 and the at least one off-period 114 are eachperformed for a predetermined period of time 106, 108.

It should be understood that the predetermined period of time 106 forthe at least one on-period 112 may be a fraction of the predeterminedperiod of time 108 for the at least one off-period 114. In a particularembodiment, the predetermined period of time 106 for the at least oneon-period 112 is between 1 percent and 20 percent of the predeterminedperiod of time 108 for the at least one off-period 114, in a moreparticular embodiment between 5 percent and about 15 percent, and in amost particular embodiment about 10 percent. In a most particularexample, the predetermined period of time 106 for the alternatingon-periods 112 is about 2 minutes and the predetermined period of time108 for the alternating off-periods 114 is about 20 minutes. Otherpredetermined periods of time 106, 108 for the at least one on-period112 and the at least one off-period 114 may also be employed within thescope of the present disclosure.

The cycling of the stroboscopic lamp 14 for the predetermined cyclingtime 110 may be performed during each of the morning 116 and the evening120, and cease during each of the daytime 118 and overnight 122 hours,allowing the plant 20 to be exposed to natural daylight and darkness,respectively. The cycling 116, 120 may be performed where there issubstantially no natural daylight, for example. The predeterminedcycling time 110 for the cycling of the stroboscopic lamp 14 between theat least one on-period 112 and the at least one off-period 114 may bebetween 20 minutes and 4 hours, more particularly between 45 minutes and3 hours, and most particularly about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Favorableresults have also been found where the predetermined cycling time 110 isabout 3 hours. One of ordinary skill in the art may select alternativepredetermined cycling times 110, as desired.

In a particular embodiment of the method 102, the predetermined duration106 of the on-period 112, the predetermined duration 108 of theoff-period 114, and the predetermined duration 110 of the cycles 116,120 are selected such that the on-period 112 and off-period 114alternate for the entire predetermined duration 110 of the cycles 116,120. In a most particular example, each on-period 112 is about 2 minutesand each off-period 114 is about 20 minutes. The periods 112, 114 arerepeated continuously during the predetermined cycle time 110.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the number ofcompleted cycles will vary as each of the duration on-period 106,duration of the off-period 108, and duration of the cycle time 110 isadjusted. It will also be appreciated that the predetermined cycle time110 for each of the morning darkness cycle 116 and evening darknesscycle 120 can be unique, with the user assigning an exclusive cycle timefor each, as desired.

EXAMPLES

FIG. 7 shows a bar graph representing average flowering time of tomatoplants for three different light sources: Sodium-vapor; natural; andstroboscopic. In this example, three (3) plants of each of seven (7)species were tested under each of the three different lighting sources,giving twenty-one (21) plants per light source, and a total ofsixty-three (63) plants.

All exposures to stroboscopic lighting in the example of FIG. 7 wereperformed according to the method of the present disclosure, usingstroboscopic lamps producing light in a wavelength of 450-950nanometers, having a peak candela of about 175,000, and a flash rate ofabout 65-95 flashes per minute. The stroboscopic lamps were suspendedabove the plants and, when natural lighting was not yet available in themorning and evening hours, the stroboscopic lamps were cycled throughalternating on-periods of about 2 minutes and off-periods of about 20minutes for a predetermined cycling time of about 1-½ hours.Sodium-vapor lighting was also performed for a time of about 1-½ hoursin the morning and evening hours, for purposes of comparison.

As shown in FIG. 7, the plants subjected to stroboscopic lighting had anaverage flowering time of 25 days. This is an improvement over the 27and 28 day averages for plants subjected to sodium-vapor and naturallight sources, respectively.

FIG. 8 shows a line graph representing total cumulative pounds of fruitharvested on specified harvest dates for tomato plants subjected tostroboscopic and natural light sources. Data was collected for twodifferent colored lenses: Amber (dotted line, dot markers) and Clear(dashed line, square markers), as well as for natural lighting (solidline, triangle markers). The Amber lens provided filtered strobedlighting of wavelengths associated with the Amber color, with the Clearlens providing unfiltered strobed light having a wavelength above about450 nanometers. Each of the light sources was tested on ninety-three(93) tomato plants of the same species, planting date, and growingconditions.

All exposures to stroboscopic lighting in the example of FIG. 8 wereperformed according to the method of the present disclosure, usingstroboscopic lamps having a peak candela of about 175,000, and a flashrate of about 65-95 flashes per minute, The stroboscopic lamps weresuspended above the plants and, when natural lighting was not yetavailable in the morning and evening hours, the stroboscopic lamps werecycled through alternating on-periods of about 2 minutes and off-periodsof about 20 minutes for a predetermined cycling time of about 3 hours.

As shown in FIG. 8, the plants subjected to stroboscopic light from anAmber colored lens yielded about 1,320 pounds of tomato fruit, and theplants subjected to stroboscopic light through a Clear lens yieldedabout 1,230 pounds of tomato fruit. Both forms of stroboscopic lightprovided an improvement over the plants subjected to only naturallighting, which yielded only about 1,140 pounds of fruit over the sameperiod of time.

FIG. 9 shows a line graph representing a comparison of cumulative fruitscounted per plant for plants subjected to stroboscopic and natural lightsources over a one month period. Data was collected for three samplesets: 1015 variety tomatoes exposed to stroboscopic light (dotted line,dot markers); 1015 variety tomatoes exposed to no strobed light, merelynatural lighting (dashed line, diamond markers); 5108 variety tomatoesexposed to stroboscopic light (phantom line, square markers); and 5108variety tomatoes exposed to no stroboscope light, merely naturallighting (solid line, triangle markers).

All exposures to stroboscopic lighting in the example of FIG, 9 wereperformed according to the method of the present disclosure, usingstroboscopic lamps producing light in a wavelength of 450-950nanometers, having a peak candela of about 175,000, and a flash rate ofabout 65-95 flashes per minute. The stroboscopic lamps were suspendedabove the plants and, when natural lighting was not yet available in themorning and evening hours, the stroboscopic lamps were cycled throughalternating on-periods of about 2 minutes and off-periods of about 20minutes for a predetermined cycling time of about 3 hours.

As shown in FIG. 9, there was a substantial increase in the quantity offruits counted for both the 1015 and 5108 tomato varieties. The 1015variety yielded 63 fruit/plant when exposed to stroboscopic light,compared to only 44 fruit/plant counted from the 1015 variety exposed tonatural lighting. Likewise, the 5108 variety yielded 65 fruit/plant whenexposed to stroboscopic light, compared to only 48 fruit/plant when onlyexposed to natural lighting.

Surprisingly, and as established in the examples hereinabove, the system2 and method 102 of the present disclosure encourages maturation andgrowth of the plants 20, such as vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.Advantageously, the system 2 and method 102 are also inexpensiverelative to the use of conventional sodium-vapor lighting systems andmethods.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art caneasily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and,without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make variouschanges and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usagesand conditions.

I claim:
 1. A method for encouraging maturation and growth of a plant,the method comprising the steps of: providing a system including atleast one stroboscopic lamp disposed adjacent the plant, thestroboscopic lamp having a strobe tube for producing a strobedhigh-intensity light in a wavelength between 450 nanometers and 950nanometers, an intensity of greater than about 100,000 peak candela, anda flash rate between about 25 and about 150 flashes per minute, and acontroller in communication with and controlling the at least onestroboscopic lamp, the controller having a user interface; permitting auser to select, by the user interface of the controller, a firstpredetermined cycling time for the stroboscopic lamp and a secondpredetermined cycling time for the stroboscopic lamp, each of the firstpredetermined cycling time and the second predetermined cycling timehaving a plurality of alternating on-periods and off-periods, and eachof the on-periods and each of the off-periods further having apredetermined period of time, the predetermined period of time for eachof the on-periods being a fraction of the predetermined period of timefor each of the off-periods; cycling, by the controller, thestroboscopic lamp through the first predetermined cycling time during amorning darkness period where natural lighting is not available; ceasingan exposure of the plant to the strobed high-intensity light from thestroboscopic lamp during a daytime period where the natural lighting isavailable, the daytime period occurring after the morning darknessperiod; cycling, by the controller, the stroboscopic lamp through thesecond predetermined cycling time during an evening darkness periodwhere the natural lighting is not available, the evening darkness periodoccurring after the daytime period; and ceasing an exposure of the plantto the strobed high-intensity light from the stroboscopic lamp during anovernight period where the natural lighting is not available, theovernight period occurring between the evening darkness period and themorning darkness period, wherein the plant is exposed to the strobedhigh-intensity light from the stroboscopic lamp having the flash ratebetween about 25 and about 150 flashes per minute during the on-periodsand not exposed to the strobed high-intensity light from thestroboscopic lamp during the off-periods, thereby encouraging thematuration and the growth of the plant.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein the predetermined period of time for each of the on-periods isbetween about 1 percent and about 20 percent of the predetermined periodof time for each of the off-periods.
 3. The method of claim 1, whereineach of the first predetermined cycling time and the secondpredetermined cycling time is between about 20 minutes and about fourhours.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein strobed high-intensity light isdirected through one of a clear lens and a colored lens to the plant. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the stroboscopic lamp is suspended abovethe plant.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the strobed high-intensitylight is about 175,000 peak candela and the flash rate of the strobedhigh-intensity light is between about 65 and about 95 flashes perminute.